We're in the final round of the swiss portion of ARGCS Indianapolis! I have the great pleasure of featuring Alex Vansant and his Burning Abyss deck up against Brandon Wigley and his Shaddolls. Both of these duelists are mainstays of the ARG Circuit Series, so we're hopefully in store for an exciting match!

Game 1

Brandon wins the roll and elects to go first. He starts off by summoning Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn, sending Black Dragon Collapserpent and Puppet Plant to the grave with the effect. He uses Charge of the Light Brigade, milling Allure of Darkness, Beast, and Shaddoll Fusion to get Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress. He sets one card to his back and mills Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn and Soul Charge during the End Phase.

Alex Normal Summons Mathematician and sends Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to the grave. He sets three backrow and adds Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his hand during the End Phase with Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' effect.

Brandon draws a card and Alex chains Mind Crush during Standby Phase, calling Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress and hitting it revealing Shaddoll Squamata, Vanity's Emptiness, and Soul Charge. Brandon Normal Summons Shaddoll Squamata then uses Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn, sending Soul Charge and Shaddoll Dragon to the grave. Shaddoll Dragon targets Alex's set Karma Cut which he uses to banish Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn while discarding Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his hand. Brandon goes on to Soul Charge for two on Shaddoll Dragon and Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress. He uses Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress to destroy Alex's set Phoenix Wing Wind Blast. He then overlays Shaddoll Squamata and Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress for Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer, sending Mathematician back into Alex's deck. During the End Phase, Alex adds Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss to his hand with the effect of Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.

8000 (Alex) - 6000 (Brandon)

Alex starts his turn by revealing Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from his hand. Brandon responds with Vanity's Emptiness, stranding it in his hand. He then Normal Summons Shaddoll Dragon, crashing it into Brandon's Shaddoll Dragon and getting rid of Vanity's Emptiness. He sets one backrow and passes.

Brandon attacks directly with Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer. He then uses Sinister Shadow Games to send Shaddoll Dragon to pop Alex's Breakthrough Skill. He sets one backrow and passes.

6000 (Alex) - 6000 (Brandon)

Alex reveals Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss again but Brandon has another Vanity's Emptiness. He passes without another play.

Brandon attacks again directly with Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer.

4000 (Alex) - 6000 (Brandon)

Alex draws and passes.

Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeerattacks attacks once again directly.

2000 (Alex) - 6000 (Brandon)

Alex sets a monster and a backrow and passes the turn.

Brandon Normal Summons Shaddoll Squamata and attacks Alex's set monster. In response, Alex chains Mind Crush calling Exodia, the Forbidden One. He whiffs and scoops it up, but not before having Brandon reveal a Super Polymerization and Black Dragon Collapserpent in his hand, gaining a bit of extra information.

Game 2

Alex decides to go first for Game 2. He summons Mathematician to send Graff which brings out Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss which is immediately destroyed. He sets three backrow then adds Tour Guide from the Underworld to his hand witht he effect of Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss

Brandon starts off with a Shaddoll Fusion but Alex has Non-Fusion Area. Brandon passes, unable to do anything else.

Alex uses Tour Guide from the Underworld to bring out Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and attacks directly with everything. Main Phase 2 he Xyz Summons for Dante, detaching Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss then calls one, sending Mathematician to the grave. Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss brings back Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss which dies immediately. He overlays Downerd Magician over Dante as Brandon quietly scoops up his cards as Alex searches out a Tour Guide from the Underworld with the effect of Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss.

"I'm gonna lose!" exclaims Brandon.

"I hope so!" Alex says with a grin.

Game 3

Brandon decides to go first for Game 3. He Normal Summons Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress then sets two backrow. During the End Phase he sends Charge of the Light Brigade, Soul Charge, and Flying "C" to the grave.

Alex sets two cards to his backrow then passes the turn. During the End Phase, Brandon flips up Royal Decree.

Brandon Normal Summons Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn then sends Sinister Shadow Games and Shaddoll Fusion to the grave with Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn's effect. Main Phase 2 he destroys Phoenix Wing Wind Blast with Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress. During the End Phase he mills Sinister Shadow Games, White Dragon Wyverbuster, Allure of Darkness, Beast, and Soul Charge, drawing him a card with Beast.

4600 (Alex) - 8000 (Brandon)

Alex Normal Summons Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss and runs over Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress before passing the turn.

Brandon uses Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn which sends Shaddoll Squamata and Sinister Shadow Games to the grave with its effect. Shaddoll Squamata sends Beast, drawing him a card. He summons White Dragon Wyverbuster by banishing Beast, then Synchro Summons for Scrap Dragon while adding Black Dragon Collapserpent to his hand. He immediately summons Black Dragon Collapserpent by banishing White Dragon Wyverbuster, then Normal Summons Shaddoll Dragon. He then Xyz summons for Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer which spins Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, letting Brandon attack for game!

Brandon finishes the day with a 6-1-1 record and should have secured himself a spot in the Top 16!